No. 1 Dairy UNit – Massey UNiversity
LocatioN
the farm is located adjacent to the Massey University campus, bounding the Manawatu river. 3 km from Palmerston North city.
aLtitUDe
35m above sea level.
raiNfaLL
980mm (average annual rainfall). 1010mm rainfall for 2004/2005 season.
teMPeratUre
7°c July, 18.5°c (monthly 10cm soil temp.).
soiLs
a complex association of river soils, including: rangitikei Loamy sand, Manawatu fine sandy Loam, Manawatu sand Loam/Gravelly phase, Manawatu Mottled silt Loam, Karapoti Brown sandy Loam. these soil types are well to excessively- well drained, prone to summer drought. High in natural fertility. overlaying gravels are present, in some cases within 10cm of surface.
area
142.7 hectares.effective area
119.7 hectares.
History
No.1 Dairy farm occupies land purchased from the Batchelar estate for the establishment of Massey agricultural college in 1926. a diary herd was established in 1929 and is the basis of the present No. 1 Dairy farm. the farm has changed over the years with the better Karapoti Brown Loam soils annexed by other organisations. consequently, No.1 Dairy farm now utilises the lighter river accretion soils adjacent to the Manawatu river. the farm has produced winter milk for over 40 years. in february 2004, almost 90 per cent of the farm was inundated by floodwaters leaving significant silt deposits after recession.
irriGatioN
32 hectares of the farm is able to be irrigated.
sUBDivisioN
the farm is subdivided into approximately 65 x 1.9 hectare paddocks, all with race access.
DraiNaGe
tile and mole.
Water sUPPLy
Massey University water supply, reticulated to all paddocks.
staff
two permanent staff and casual staff as required.
stocKiNG rate & ProDUctioN
2011 2012
total Milksolids (kg) 120810 127,487
Peak cows Milked 300 320
Milk Production (kg/cow) 403 398
Milk Production (kg/ha) 1015 1071
tHe HerD
Breed: friesian Herd with some crossbreds Recorded Ancestry: 85%
Breeding Worth: 90/47 Production Worth: 103/68
oBJectives
• to use a high performance 12 month dairy production system based on a split calving herd, to fulfil a commercial winter contract and also seasonal milk supply.
• to provide a teaching resource for undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, and be involved in research and extension of 12 month pastoral dairy production systems.
• to provide a link between the University and agribusiness.
farM Dairy
Milking Facility: 24 aside herringbone shed equipped with Westfalia metatron.
Feed Pad: concrete feeding pad (300 cow capacity).
PastUre
Pastures are predominantly perennial ryegrass / white clover species. Pastures are renewed on a ten-year rotation.
2011/2012 seasoN PastUre GroWtH rates:
Jun Jul aug sept oct Nov Dec Jan feb Mar apr May total Grown
25 19 14 49 52 66 65 45 37 32 19 20 13.3 tnDM/ha
GraziNG PoLicies
Pasture based production system aiming to achieve high levels of feed conversion efficiency through excellent grazing management.
The following stock are typically grazed off the farm:
Heifer calves yearling Heifers
cows grazed off (140 autumn cows for 6 weeks in february/March, 140 spring cows for 6 weeks in June/July) supplements are used to extend lactation and buffer the effects of seasonal pasture growth.
croPs aND sUPPLeMeNts
Maize silage, grass silage and balage are purchased according to seasonal requirements.
Hay is fed to dry stock when needed. other mineral supplementation bought in as required.
reGrassiNG PoLicy
currently, 12-15 ha are re-grassed annually into perennial ryegrass/clover (ie. grass-to-grass).
fertiLiser
fertiliser programmes are based upon soil test results and crop requirements. several strategic applications of nitrogen are made throughout the year (at application rates of 30-40 kg N / ha). 91 kg/ha/yr of Nitrogen, 22kg/ha/yr of Phosphorus, and 54kg/
ha/yr of sulphur are required to maintain soil fertility.
Year pH Olsen P SO4 K Mg
2012 6.0 39 6 8 32
2010 5.7 38.7 9.7 5 27
2004 6.0 27.3 17.7 5 28
2002 5.8 44.1 5.6 5 27
